Dog-Friendly Yards
by Pattie Roberts
Just because you have a dog or two doesn’t mean that your yard has to be one big mud hole! Understanding your dog’s behavior will help you create a space that is functional and beautiful at the same time.
• Most dogs like to patrol their property, often resulting in dirt paths along the perimeter of the yard. Why not install flagstone, pea gravel, brick, bark, or whatever material suites your style to direct foot and paw traffic.
• Escapes and Hazard check: fences should be at least 6 feet high. Be sure that any chemicals used, such as pesticides, weed killers, fertilizers, pond treatments etc. are safe for pets. Avoid cocoa mulch, as cocoa is hazardous to dogs. Keep the yard clean! Sometimes puppies eat poo! Many small dogs don’t care to walk in overly tall grass, where wicked ticks can hide, so keep it mowed.
• Protect plants. Large rocks around plants block dogs from digging them up. Raised beds, and small protective fences for young plants will also serve you well. Cobblestones, prickly, thorny plants and ornamental stakes also help!
• Digging areas: some dogs dig for many reasons. If your pet is digging by a fence or gate, the cause could be separation anxiety, fear or just general excitement. Provide a doghouse or other shelter. Some dogs dig for comfort, while others are just bored! Build a small “digging area” made out of mulch, sand, or bark.
Check out the ASPCA’s website for more info on toxic plants.
For alternatives to pesticides see: www.beyondpesticides.org/alternatives.
A dog is the only thing on earth that will love you more than you love yourself.
Josh Billings
What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight, what counts is the size of the fight in the dog.
Mark Twain